Archie Comics April 2009 Solicitations

The kind folks at Archie Comics have supplied ComicList with their solicitations for comics and other products featured in the February 2009 Previews, scheduled to ship April 2009.

ARCHIE #596
"The Big Flip": After nearly 70 years of being indecisive over Betty and Veronica, Jughead offers Archie a simple solution: merely flip a coin!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Teller I Love Her!": The new bank teller steals Archie's heart... but that's not all she pilfers!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Gory Story": Archie takes on a project he can really sink his "fangs" into - making a documentary about vampires! Features the "Monster Museum" last seen in ARCHIE & FRIENDS #106.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Changing Times": Mr. Weatherbee shows the class of '84 how much things have changed... but for Archie and Jughead, the more things change, the more they stay the same!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
Shipping Date: April 22nd, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 29th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 12th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #130
"Zero to Rock Hero Part One": It's a battle of the bands unlike any seen before, when The Archies and Josie and the Pussycats compete against one another playing the hottest new videogame, Legendary Rock Heroes at Veronica's swank party! Can the real rockers excel in the virtual world as well as they rock out in the real world? And what will happen when the media... specifically a reality show producer friend of Mr. Lodge... and the whole world takes notice?!
SCRIPT: Stephen Oswald.
ART: Bill Galvan.
Shipping Date: April 1st, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 8th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 21st, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #131
"Zero to Rock Hero Part Two": The video game battle of the bands from the previous issue rages on... but now the event is broadcast on TV! Last issue, The Archies and Josie and the Pussycats challenged one another to the hottest new videogame, Legendary Rock Heroes! Now their competition is a reality show sensation, complete with all the trappings. Can the rockers stay true to their creative roots, or will instant success turn them into an assembly line of pre-fab pop?
SCRIPT: Stephen Oswald.
ART: Bill Galvan.
Shipping Date: April 29th, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: May 6th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 19th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US

ARCHIE DIGEST #253
"Class Act": Happy days are here again as the gang takes readers on a trip through the fabulous ‘50s, staging a musical set in the days of greasers, bobby sox and sock hops!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"A Model Teen": A teen products marketing company decides to study the "typical teen" - and end up in Riverdale, naturally!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: April 8th, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 15th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 28th, 2009
88-page, full color digest
$2.69 US.

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #198
"All Wet": Archie has a "big fish" story to tell... all about the big mess he made at the new seafood restaurant!
SCRIPT: John Rose.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Roll the Dice": Waiters on wheels are back in style... but when Archie's your server you might want to take insurance on your meal!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Bob Bolling.
"Name Games": A tree by any other name would still rain chestnuts down all over town!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: April 22nd, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 29th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 12th, 2009
176-page, full color digest
$3.99 US.

BETTY & VERONICA #241
"What's it All About?" Even as a wedding guest, Veronica manages to make someone else's special day all about herself!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Shoe Coup": While Veronica breaks the bank for her fancy footwear, Betty's bargain shoes help usher in a new era for vintage designs.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"The Smell Test": Archie decides to give both Betty and Veronica wildflowers to show how much he appreciates them... but allergies and buzzing bees may send a different message!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Video Game Gambit": Tired of countless action-packed video games turning their boyfriends into joystick zombies, Betty and Veronica come up with ideas for video games that will appeal to girls.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: April 8th, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 15th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 28th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #193
"Palm Springs Weekend": Join Betty and Veronica as they embark upon the jet-settingest weekend trip of their lives. Destination: the ultra-ritzy Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs. It's all brought to you by famed Hollywood columnist Hal Lifson. Just like his column, this comic book travelogue is loaded with sizzling celebrities, magnificent homes, breathtaking scenery, and total trendsetters. Lifson also has a fondness for the sensational ‘60s, on full display here as the Riviera's design is based on architecture of the decade. So pack your bags and buy your tix - it's the hippest trip you'll ever take!
SCRIPT: Hal Lifson.
ART: Rex Lindsey.
"New Clowns in Town": Betty's Uncle Clarence is in town doing his clown act at the circus, but when his two assistants catch colds, Betty and Veronica are enlisted to don makeup they've never worn before!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: April 1st, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 8th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 21st, 2009
88-page, full color digest
$2.69 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #170
"My Father's Betrayal Part 1": The latest "new look" saga is the most poignant yet, as Veronica and her friends vow to save a nature preserve from being turned into an industrial park. The issue isn't as black and white as the teens may think: not only will the industrial park bring much-needed jobs to the out-of-work residents of Riverdale, it will also help lower property taxes. But the biggest conflict of all: the industrial park is being funded by Veronica's father! What will life in Riverdale be like when its richest businessman and his debutant daughter disagree on an issue that can affect the whole community? It's the story you just can't afford to miss, served up in the "realistic" art style that made Betty and Veronica's "Bad Boy Trouble" Jughead's "Match Makers," and Moose and Midge's "Break-up Blues" some of the most-talked about Archie stories in recent years! Famous superhero art team and Eisner Award nominees Rick Burchett and Terry Austin lend their formidable penciling and inking talents to this intriguing tale, brought to you by "new look" scribe Melanie J. Morgan.
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan.
ART: Rick Burchett and Terry Austin.
"Sitting Downer": It's "Friendship Day" at the local library, and Betty has volunteered to read the children a story all about the topic. But when Veronica and Archie show up, the kids get a lesson in jealously instead!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
"Taking Stock": Betty wows Mr. Lodge with her stock market knowledge and wins all of his attention in the process, leaving Veronica's self-esteem in decline. Can Betty help her friend make gains once more?
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: April 15th, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 22nd, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 5th, 2009
176-page, full color digest
$3.99 US.

THE HIGH SCHOOL CHRONICLES VOLUME ONE: FRESHMAN YEAR
Archie and his friends have forever been stuck in the latter portion of high school, but now, after many long years, the story of how "the gang" all met up is finally being told in this, the first edition of "The High School Chronicles!" This pioneering storyline, captured in issues #587-591 of ARCHIE and now again in this graphic novel reprint, brings us the beginning of the "eternal love triangle," the introduction of Mr. Weatherbee as principal of Riverdale High, the formation of Moose and Midge's relationship (and Reggie's subsequent schemes to split them up), and other Archie staples! It's all brought to you by fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of "Wolff & Byrd" and "Archie Meets the Punisher" fame, along with popular Archie Comics artist, Bill Galvan. So get your Homecoming dress, pack your brand-new backpack, and pick up your school map to find your way to the biggest Archie story of the year!
SCRIPT: Batton Lash.
ART: Bill Galvan
Shipping Date: April 22nd, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 29th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 12th, 2009
112-page, full color trade paperback
$10.95 US.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #149
"The Gourmet Glutton": To help boost Pop Tate's sales, Jughead starts an internet-only show starring himself as a food expert... and the first eatery he reviews is Pop's, of course!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Bill Galvan.
"Physical Activity": Jughead goes for a check up, but he's so nervous he's liable to check out before the doctor arrives!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
"Girl Guile": With more and more boys coming up with creative ways to ask their prom dates out, Ethel decides to follow suit with a clever ploy to get Jughead to ask her to the prom!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: April 1st, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 8th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 21st, 2009
176-page, full color digest
$3.99 US.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #131
"7-10 Slip": When Pop Tate breaks his arm in a fall, the kids rally together to raise money for his medical bills. They get some help from real-life bowling champions Chris and Lynda Barnes. This husband-and-wife team is noted for winning the most prestigious titles in bowling: Chris is the PBA player of the year and Lynda the 2008 USBC Queens champion. Now they'll "bowl" you over Archie Comics style, in the most "striking" story yet!
SCRIPT: Stephen Oswald.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
"Music to my Ears": Frankie Valdez decides to cut a singing demo, but when Maria discovers all of Frankie's backup singers are female, their love song hits a sour note!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Bypass the Gas": At Miss Grundy's urging, the teens decide to use alternate methods of transportation to save fuel. Will the idea take off, or will it "run out of gas?"
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Bob Bolling.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: April 29th, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: May 6th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 19th, 2009
176-page, full color digest
$3.99 US.

SONIC UNIVERSE #3
THE LATEST HIT SONIC SERIES RETURNS WITH ITS THIRD ACTION-PACKED ISSUE!
"Old Soldiers": Shadow is sent into the remote mountains to find E-102 Gamma. At the same time, Dr. Robotnik launches the over-powered E-123 Omega to hunt down and destroy the rogue robot! It's a race against time to see if Shadow can save Gamma and offer him asylum - if Gamma even wants to be saved! It's the latest installment of this exciting new series presenting unifying continuity while spotlighting the many characters from Sonic's various video games and animated series.
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Tracy Yardley.
Shipping Date: April 22nd, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 29th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: May 12th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #199
"Knocking on Eggman's Door": Sonic leads the combined might of the Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix in a final push against Dr. Robotnik and his Eggman Empire! In this climactic battle old friendships and rivalries are revisited, family confronts family, and a treacherous plot is revealed that you won't believe! You simply cannot afford to miss this pulse-pounding lead-in to the mega-milestone SONIC #200!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Tracy Yardley!
Shipping Date: April 1st, 2009
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: April 8th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: April 21st, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.50 US